Handhole plate



Patented Sept. 19, 19.220

aumzwtozenema Sept. ie, new.

TENT FHQO WILLIAM CL JACOBS, OF CLINTON, IOWA,

" DHOLE PLATE.

Application filed July 22, 1918. Serial No. 246,153.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM CARL J ACOBS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clinton, in the county of Clinton and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Handhole Plate, of which the following is a specification.

The subject of this invention is a handhole plate such as is used for closing the hand holes in a boiler, and for like purposes.

The main object of the invention is the provision of a hand-hole plate which will not blow out.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a hand-hole plate which may be clamped firmly in place without drawing.

the plate against the boiler plate.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of means to prevent the plate being accidentally thrust or driven into the boiler.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for detecting leakage in the plate and for removing the cap.

The invention also contemplates generally improving the construction and enhancing the utility of hand-hole covers.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in. the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

A practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal section,

partly in elevation, of a plate constructed.

in accordance with the invention, and taken on the line 11-11 of Figure 3;

Figure 2 is a view in elevation of the device, viewed from the outside of the boiler;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the same viewed from the opposite direction;

Figure 4 is a detail view in transverse section of a gasket Referring to the drawing by numerals of reference A section of boiler plate or shell is indicated by the numeral 1, and it is represented as provided with a hand-hole 2. The plate for closing the hand-hole consists of a disk 3, which is preferably dished or concave at lts 1nner face, as shown, and formed with opposed, arcuate ribs or flanges 4 which extend for a short distance at the edge of the disk and which taper toward their ends and merge into the disk. At opposed portions of the disk 3, and covering arcs of substantially ninety degrees on the edge thereof, are the cut away or beveled edges 5 which separate the ribs or flanges 4 and allow the disk to pass through the circular hole in the plate or shell 1. Short radially disposed webs or ribs 6 extend from the middle portions of the flanges 4 and terminate near the center of the disk 3, as shown most clearly in Figures 1 and 3.

The disk 3 is formed with a reduced portion of a diameter less than the diameter of the hand-hole 2, to provide a space 3 to receive portions of the gasket, to be hereinafter more fully described. The periphery of the reduced portion of the disk 3 is beveled, as indicated at 7,.to provide a portion of conical formation which merges into the cylindrical portion 7. A stem 8 extends from the outer face of the disk 3, and is positioned centrally thereof, and the stem is threaded, as at 9, and terminates in a reduced squared end 10. The squared end 10 of the stem 8 is provided with a diametrical aperture 11 for the reception of a hook 12 by which the parts may be held in place while the hand-hole plate is being assembled. The squared end likewise permits a wrench to be applied to the same for the purpose of preventing the disk 3 from turning.

The stem 8 is adapted to receive a suitably apertured cap 13, the rim of which encircles the disk 3 and forms a packing gland with its edge or periphery beveled, as at 14, to cooperate with the beveled face 7, forcing a gasket 15 firmly against the face of the hand-hole 2. The cap is also provided with outwardly extending, annular flange 16 which forms a stop or bumper to prevent.

the cap from being forced into the boiler through the hand-hole. An aperture 17 is provided in the cap 13 and serves to show whether leakage is taking place about the disk 3, and also permits the insertion of a rod or other'implement by which the cap may be leveredloose when the same is to be removed.

A nut 18 is threaded on the stem v8 and serves to draw the disk 3 and cap 13 toward each other to expand the gasket.

The gasket may be of triangular formation, as shown in Figure 1, or a gasket 15', as shown in Figure 4, which is of circular cross section, may be used. The gasket is preferably made of some soft metal, such as copper or lead, though rubber may be made use of when .desired.

In practice, the disk 3 is tilted and inserted through the hole 2. The nut 18 and cap 13 are placed on the'hook 12 and the hook caught into the aperture 11 of the stem. The parts may'now be held in place while the nut is threaded onto the stem. When the nut has been brought against the cap, the hook may be removed and a wrench used to grip the squared'end of the stem and hold the same against turning while the nut is being tightened.

It will be apparent that, as the disk and cap are drawn togetherby the nut 18, the gasket will be crushed or forced against the walls of the hand-hole, but there will be no force tending to pull or force the disk 3 through the hand-hole. I

Having thus described the invention, what isclaimedas new and sought by Letters Patent, is V A- hand-hole plate comprising in combination with a boiler plate, a disk having a circumferential shoulder and having beveled edges formed adjacent to the shoulder, the beveled edges terminating in relatively straight portions, both of said straight portions being spaced from the boiler plate, a stem having a threaded extremity formed integral with the disk, a cap having an integral circumferential flange associated with the disk, said cap having an inclined inner edge, packing material disposed at one end of the cap and adapted to be engaged by.

the inclined edge thereof, said packing ma terial' being positioned on the beveled edge of the disk, a nut operating on the threaded portion of the stem for forcing the inclined edge of the cap into engagement with the packin to force the packing into one of the relative y straight portions formed adjacent to the beveled edge of the disk, and said cap having a drain opening. I

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of 'two witnesses.

WILLIAM CARL JACOBS. 

